Tarec Saffiedine open to rebooking with Ellenberger after UFC Fight Night 34 win

While Tarec Saffiedine dominated Hyun Gyu Lim for the majority of five rounds at UFC Fight Night 34, he doesn’t think the performance puts him above facing his originally scheduled opponent for the event, Jake Ellenberger.

Saffiedine (15-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) took decision win over Lim (12-4-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and extended his winning streak to five consecutive bouts. Ellenberger (29-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC), on the other hand, is coming off a loss to Rory MacDonald and has not fought since this past July.

Victories and defeats aren’t Saffiedine’s primary concern, though. After finally getting his hand raised in the UFC for the first time, “The Sponge” is merely looking for opponents who will move him up the rankings, and Ellenberger is one of them.

“We were supposed to fight each other; it didn’t happen, unfortunately,” Saffiedine told MMAjunkie Radio. “I’m down for anybody in the top five, top 10. I would fight Jake Ellenberger, I think what would be a great fight. He’s a great fighter and I would love to see somebody like him.”

Another fighter who piques Saffiedine’s interest is Martin Kampmann, a Scandinavian striker who has been knocked out by top contenders Johny Hendricks and Carlos Condit in his past two fights.

While his recent record may not be truly representative of his talents, Saffiedine knows how good Kampmann is and thinks that fight would suit him well.

“Martin Kampmann is a great fighter and would be an exciting fight for the fans,” Saffiedine said. “All the top five, top 10 would be a great fight. Whoever the fans or the UFC wants me to fight.”

But Saffiedine may be out of luck for a Kampmann fight. He recently appeared on MMAjunkie Radio, as well, and said he plans to take some time away from the sport, essentially eliminating him as a potential opponent.

Saffiedine isn’t the type of fighter to pick and choose who he fights, but given the current landscape of the UFC’s welterweight division, rebooking the fight with Ellenberger may make the most sense.

But when push comes to shove, Saffiedine doesn’t care who he fights next – as long as the UFC gives him ample time to prepare.

“I think as long as I get a full camp of at least eight to six weeks, I’m down to fight anytime,” Saffiedine said. “If the UFC calls me up to fight, I’ll be down.”

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is probably the greatest female fighter on the planet, which is a tremendous feat. So why are we seemingly so obsessed with arguing about whether she could beat up men?